Cycling with an artificial hip

"Mike Sales" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My GP is referring me to a specialist and believes a new hip might be a
solution to my problem. I was convinced by doctors that it was not a good
idea thirty-five years ago. I have managed quite well with the original
joint, until now.
So my question is, does anyone have any knowledge, anecdotal or
otherwise, about people cycling with an artificial hip? And can I get one
in titanium and carbon?

Mike Sales

My mother-in-law was told not to use her exercise bike after her two new
hips. I can't see the logic but she can now walk - which she could not
before.

"Geoff Pearson" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

"Mike Sales" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My GP is referring me to a specialist and believes a new hip might be a
solution to my problem. I was convinced by doctors that it was not a good
idea thirty-five years ago. I have managed quite well with the original
joint, until now.
So my question is, does anyone have any knowledge, anecdotal or
otherwise, about people cycling with an artificial hip? And can I get one
in titanium and carbon?

Mike Sales

My mother-in-law was told not to use her exercise bike after her two new
hips. I can't see the logic but she can now walk - which she could not
before.

before her new hips, that is.

Mike Sales said:

My GP is referring me to a specialist and believes a new hip might be
a solution to my problem. I was convinced by doctors that it was not
a good idea thirty-five years ago. I have managed quite well with the
original joint, until now. So my question is, does anyone have any
knowledge, anecdotal or otherwise, about people cycling with an
artificial hip? And can I get one in titanium and carbon?

I seem to recall a well known [1] cyclist recently had a hip
replacement.

[1] So well known, that I've forgotten who, or the exact details.

--
Mike
Van Tuyl titanium Dura ace 10
Fausto Coppi aluminium Ultegra 10
Raleigh Record sprint mongrel

mb said:

Mike Sales said:

My GP is referring me to a specialist and believes a new hip might
be a solution to my problem. I was convinced by doctors that it was
not a good idea thirty-five years ago. I have managed quite well
with the original joint, until now. So my question is, does
anyone have any knowledge, anecdotal or otherwise, about people
cycling with an artificial hip? And can I get one in titanium and
carbon?

I seem to recall a well known [1] cyclist recently had a hip
replacement.

[1] So well known, that I've forgotten who, or the exact details.

Duh, it was Landis:
http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/07/10/sports/landis.php

--
Mike
Van Tuyl titanium Dura ace 10
Fausto Coppi aluminium Ultegra 10
Raleigh Record sprint mongrel

"Mike Sales" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My GP is referring me to a specialist and believes a new hip might be a
solution to my problem. I was convinced by doctors that it was not a good
idea thirty-five years ago. I have managed quite well with the original
joint, until now.
So my question is, does anyone have any knowledge, anecdotal or
otherwise, about people cycling with an artificial hip? And can I get one
in titanium and carbon?

Athur in Llanwytd Wells has a replacement hip joint (possibley 2) and cycles
like a demon.

John

I believe that the problem is not in cycling in itself but is the problems
involved in a minor fall off the bike!

Both my father ( now 100 years + with both hips replaced after a very old
injury in the mines at 19 years old) and my ancient brother ( 77 years old,
with one hip replaced) have cycled but were warned off it after their hip
replacement operations. I believe that the artificial joint is very
susceptible to "popping out" ( and my brothers hip does that occasionally
anyway).

Having grown old in a reasonably fit state most of my life without under
stress created by intense labour ( well I was an officer in the Army and did
silly thing's like severe caving / climbing and canoeing) I am free from
problems in the hip area!

However my left knee always gives me minor problems, after a minor accident
about 20 years ago where I twisted my knee in response to a whirling lock
handle -- it chipped my cheek bone and left me with a black eye for the next
succeeding weeks but the knee injury from my reaction to the flying handle
was, in retrospect, far more lasting and I regularly unclip my left foot from
my SPD pedals to ease the ache in my left knee.

So the advice is sensible -- it is not the activity of cycling but rather the
result of an enforced dismount -- i.e -- being knocked off your bike that is
the problem!

--
Trevor A Panther
In South Yorkshire,
England, United Kingdom.
www.tapan.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk

"Mike Sales" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:[email hidden]...

Quoted message said:

My GP is referring me to a specialist and believes a new hip might be a
solution to my problem. I was convinced by doctors that it was not a good
idea thirty-five years ago. I have managed quite well with the original
joint, until now.
So my question is, does anyone have any knowledge, anecdotal or
otherwise, about people cycling with an artificial hip? And can I get one in
titanium and carbon?

Mike Sales

Mike Sales said:

So my question is, does anyone have any knowledge, anecdotal or
otherwise, about people cycling with an artificial hip?

I've cycled with a couple of seventy somethings with artificial hips
and they do absolutely fine though I've not chatted in depth about the
things.

Jon

Mike Sales said:

My GP is referring me to a specialist and believes a new hip might be a
solution to my problem. I was convinced by doctors that it was not a
good idea thirty-five years ago. I have managed quite well with the
original joint, until now.
So my question is, does anyone have any knowledge, anecdotal or
otherwise, about people cycling with an artificial hip? And can I get
one in titanium and carbon?

Mike Sales

I am 64 and have had both my hips replaced (Protek CLS non-cemented
titanium/ceramic/polyethylene). Biking is absolutely no problem, in fact
is recommended to stay trong and mobile. And replacing my crumbling
painful stiff grating hips -- what a change in lifestyle!
The only restrictions are certain postions which could lead to
dislocation; these depend on the prosthesis and how the operation was
performed (posterior, lateral etc) approach. Your orthopaedic surgeon
will advise you on that. But s/he will almost certainly NOT advise
excessive restrictions on activity.

Peter MB ChB FANZCA

Mike Sales said:

So my question is, does anyone have any knowledge, anecdotal or
otherwise, about people cycling with an artificial hip? And can I get one in
titanium and carbon?

Don't know about the carbon, but I think there's a very significant Ti
presence in current artificial joints.

Pete.
--
Peter Clinch Medical Physics IT Officer
Tel 44 1382 660111 ext. 33637 Univ. of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital
Fax 44 1382 640177 Dundee DD1 9SY Scotland UK
net [email hidden] http://www.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/

In news:[email hidden],
Mike Sales <[email hidden]> tweaked the Babbage-Engine to tell us:

Quoted message said:

My GP is referring me to a specialist and believes a new hip might be
a solution to my problem. I was convinced by doctors that it was not
a good idea thirty-five years ago. I have managed quite well with the
original joint, until now.
So my question is, does anyone have any knowledge, anecdotal or
otherwise, about people cycling with an artificial hip? And can I get
one in titanium and carbon?

Lt. Col. Larrington (retd.) has two - one each side - and while he doesn't
zoom up hills inna-mountain-goat-stylee these days, he has no problems with
riding his bike almost daily.

--
Dave Larrington
<http://www.legslarry.beerdrinkers.co.uk>
Give the anarchist a cigarette.

Mike Sales said:

My GP is referring me to a specialist and believes a new hip might be a
solution to my problem. I was convinced by doctors that it was not a good
idea thirty-five years ago. I have managed quite well with the original
joint, until now.
So my question is, does anyone have any knowledge, anecdotal or
otherwise, about people cycling with an artificial hip? And can I get one in
titanium and carbon?

Ask in the options about hip resurfacing - if the damage is not great
they can just replace the surfaces of the ball and socket with an
artificial material rather than removing the ball and trying to bond a
new one in to the leg bone. Its much better for people with physically
demanding jobs or sports. Its the operation that Floyd Landis had and
he is planning on a return to competitive cycling, WADA permitting. You
might even want to ask for a referral to someone who specifically offers
resurfacing.
See e.g. http://www.birminghamhipresurfacing.com/index.cfm

The advice to defer was good - early hip joints lasted for a decade or
so before they needed to be replaced and revision arthroplasty gets
harder each time it is done. These days the implants have improved but
I would still favour putting off the drastic options as long as I could
if it were me - techniques are getting better all the time and new
techniques such as resurfacing developing.

Tony

"Mike Sales" <[email hidden]> wrote in message news:46b8b9ab$0$1449

And can I get one in

Quoted message said:

titanium and carbon?

Try the Shimano catalogue.

In article <[email hidden]>, Mike

Sales said:

My GP is referring me to a specialist and believes a new hip might
be a solution to my problem. I was convinced by doctors that it was
not a good idea thirty-five years ago. I have managed quite well
with the original joint, until now. So my question is, does anyone
have any knowledge, anecdotal or otherwise, about people cycling
with an artificial hip?

I had a THR almost 4 years ago at age 62. Except for the first night
it has been brilliant.

Quoted message said:

And can I get one in titanium and carbon?

Don't know - the surgeon fitted what he thought was the best.

Thanks to all who replied, especially Peter Keller and Sandy.
It sounds as if I might have a good chance of a good result. A
transformation like yours would be marvellous. I have heard that the choice
of model can be important, so it is interesting that Peter mentions his.
My joint is too damaged for the surface treatment, Tony, I'm afraid.

Mike Sales

Mike Sales said:

My joint is too damaged for the surface treatment, Tony, I'm afraid.

Is that your assumption or the opinion of a consultant familiar with
resurfacing? If the former then don't assume until a consultant who
knows about it has had a chance to express an opinion. Also don't
accept an opinion from someone that does not do resurfacing as they
won't have the experience to make an informed assessment. If it can be
done it really is worth it as it avoids many of the problems of a total
hip replacement.

Tony

Tony Raven' wrote Mike Sales said:

Quoted message said:

My joint is too damaged for the surface treatment, Tony, I'm afraid.

Is that your assumption or the opinion of a consultant familiar with
resurfacing? If the former then don't assume until a consultant who knows
about it has had a chance to express an opinion. Also don't accept an
opinion from someone that does not do resurfacing as they won't have the
experience to make an informed assessment. If it can be done it really is
worth it as it avoids many of the problems of a total hip replacement.

It is my assumption, I have seen my X rays, and read my notes. I forget the
name for that part of the femur where it angles inwards before ending at the
ball, but about half of it is missing. I may be wrong, but I assumed that
this needs more than surface repair. I also seem to remember that the socket
part is pretty rough too.
Thanks for bringing this treatment to my notice. I hadn't heard of it,
and if my new consultant doesn't bring it up I will.
Mike Sales

Mike Sales said:

It is my assumption, I have seen my X rays, and read my notes. I forget the
name for that part of the femur where it angles inwards before ending at the
ball, but about half of it is missing. I may be wrong, but I assumed that
this needs more than surface repair. I also seem to remember that the socket
part is pretty rough too.

Those points are not relevant to resurfacing which cuts back and bonds a
metal shell onto the ball and a metal cup into the socket. Its still a
metal to metal joint but the big advantage is the ball surface is bonded
to the bone over a large area and the junction is only lightly stressed
in use. The total hip replacement insets a peg down the inside of the
femur with the ball at the end. That places a lot of load on the joint
between the peg and the bone and getting a good durable joint that
doesn't loosen over time is a challenge.

Tony

"Tony Raven" wrote

Quoted message said:

Mike Sales said:

It is my assumption, I have seen my X rays, and read my notes. I forget
the name for that part of the femur where it angles inwards before ending
at the ball, but about half of it is missing. I may be wrong, but I
assumed that this needs more than surface repair. I also seem to remember
that the socket part is pretty rough too.

Those points are not relevant to resurfacing which cuts back and bonds a
metal shell onto the ball and a metal cup into the socket. Its still a
metal to metal joint but the big advantage is the ball surface is bonded
to the bone over a large area and the junction is only lightly stressed in
use. The total hip replacement insets a peg down the inside of the femur
with the ball at the end. That places a lot of load on the joint between
the peg and the bone and getting a good durable joint that doesn't loosen
over time is a challenge.

That is interesting. I will certainly discuss it with the guy. I always find
my doctors convincing, so any knowledge I take into the consultation helps
me make an independent decision.
I am starting to allow myself to imagine a future with a better hip. If it
worked as well as Peter's and Sandy's my life would be transformed. Its
interesting though. Its the gammy hip that got me into cycling, and I
certainly don't regret that.

Mike Sales

Ric said:

"Mike Sales" <[email hidden]> wrote in message
news:46b8b9ab$0$1449
And can I get one in

Quoted message said:

titanium and carbon?

Try the Shimano catalogue.

Be warned that you'll need a special tool to get it out and the parts
aren't serviceable.

The Campagnolo ones seem to have a dedicated fanbase, but the clicking
noise is much louder.

-dan